Ottawa Weekender: Anthrax’s Scott Ian on his “swearing” tour on Feb. 27 at Ritual Nightclub — a verbal history of his “insane life”

In this edition of the Weekender: Anthrax’s Scott Ian, RAW: natural born artists, Mayfair’s 86th Annual Academy Awards, and four other things to do in Ottawa this weekend.

Anthrax attack“This ain’t no poetry reading. This isn’t an evening of sensitive discourse” — so warns Scott Ian, guitarist for beloved thrash-metal band Anthrax. More rock-history than poetry, Ian’s on a “speaking tour,” coming to Ottawa to divulge — in a plethora of expletives — the “insane” life he’s led over the past 31 years. And when he’s finished swearing, audiences are encouraged to ask him anything they like. The event is on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Ritual Nightclub, 137 Besserer St. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $20. It’s a 19+ show.We AnimalsAnimals in the human environment — that may conjure up images of squirrels or raccoons, pigeons, cats and dogs. But the presence of animals is more ubiquitous than that, and often tragically so. This is the subject matter of award-winning photographer (and subject of Liz Marshall’s noteworthy documentary, The Ghosts In Our Machine) Jo-Anne McArthur’s new book, We Animals. The book documents human’s interactions with animals, so that “the viewer finds new significance in these ordinary, often unnoticed situations of use, abuse, and sharing of spaces.” McArthur’s book will be launched at the Ottawa Humane Society on Thursday, Feb. 27, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. She’ll be there to speak, read, chat, and sign books; there will also be vegan refreshments courtesy of co-organizer National Capital Vegan Association. Tickets are $10 advance. All proceeds go towards the Humane Society, which is located at 245 West Hunt Club Road.

Natural born artistsBy the time most of us become aware of an artists’ success — regardless of the medium — they’re already well established. At this point, their skills are honed, and the art has evolved somewhat from what it was when they first began. But haven’t you ever wondered what it looked like when they first started making art? A new world-wide art movement, RAW: natural born artists, is giving patrons and art lovers in Ottawa a chance to “discover” local, emerging artists in the early stages of their careers. The event on Thursday, Feb. 27, will showcase 30 artists’ works in a variety of mediums, including film and fashion. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $15. Future showcases to come! The event is at Mansion Nightclub, 400 Dalhousie Street.

Ok, smile — ‘click’Shutterbugs, grab your cameras, because Nature Nocturne, the Canadian Museum of Nature’s monthly party, is photography-themed, casting its lens on how natural science crosses over into art; no doubt inspired by their latest exhibit, Beneath the Surface:X-Rays of Arctic Fish, which presents exactly that. On Friday, Feb. 28 photograph the museum’s aforementioned exhibit, among others (the photo ops are endless — dinosaurs, whales, a jar of tape worms) and share them on Twitter (#NatureNocturne). Dance to music by various DJs throughout, dwarfed by larger-than-life photography projected on the walls, and snack on themed food and drinks. Tickets are $20. Event starts at 8 p.m. The Canadian Museum of Nature is located at 240 McLeod Street.

Yoga theatreI suppose there’s a certain theatrical element to Yoga — what with all that grunting, sweating, and heavy breathing — but what about actual yoga theatre? Presenting Occupy Me, a play that features yoga instructor Sarah Lotus Blossom — “the embodiment of zen-on-speed” — who just can’t breathe and let go as she grapples with the Occupy movement, travelling to India, and leading you in an actual yoga class! The brainchild of Bronwyn Steinberg (Sarah Blossom) and Sarah Waisvisz, the play, which blurs the lines between the actor and the audience, takes place on Friday, Feb. 28 at Rama Lotus Yoga Centre, at 8 p.m. Tickets $20. Rama Lotus is at 342 Gladstone Avenue.

Mid-winter festCelebrate mid-winter and the new moon this weekend at A Winter Village: Meshkwadoon. Hosted by the Wabano Aboriginal Health Centre, the two-day event features a slew of storytellers, aboriginal and non-aboriginal vendors (Meshkwadoon in Ojibiwe means “trade”), and other activities — dance, theatre, visual arts, film, and music — for the whole family. Event takes place on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, March 2 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Day passes: individual, $5; family, $12. Weekend passes: individual $8; family, $20. The village is at the Wabano Centre, which is located at 299 Montreal Road.

Walk the red carpet (FREE, for some)Okay, so not everyone cares about the star-studded, red carpet affair in March — the Academy Awards; that annual, oft incestuous Hollywood ceremony. Admittedly, it’s hard not to get sucked into its hype or the glitz and glam of the evening — even here, in Ottawa. So on Sunday, March 2 dress up for this red carpet event and head to the Mayfair Theatre to flash your stuff and watch — live — the 86th Annual Academy Awards hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. This licensed event is free — for members only. Not a member? There’s still time between now and then to buy a membership (it costs $10 and can even be bought the night of). Event starts at 8 p.m. The theatre is at 1074 Bank Street.